Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Social Studies Social Studies Substrands and Standards Civics Substrands and Standards Substrand 1 Civic Skills Standard 1 Democratic government depends on informed and engaged citizens who exhibit civic skills and values, practice civic discourse, vote and participate in elections, apply inquiry and analysis skills, and take action to solve problems and shape public policy. Substrand 2 Civic Values and Principles of Democracy Standard 2 The civic identity of the United States is shaped by historical figures, places and events, and by key foundational documents and other symbolically important artifacts. Standard 3 The United States is based on democratic values and principles that include liberty, individual rights, justice, equality the rule of law, limited government, common good, popular sovereignty, majority rule and minority rights. Substrand 3 Rights and Responsibilities Standard 4 Individuals in a republic have rights, duties and responsibilities. Standard 5 Citizenship and its rights and duties are established by law. Substrand 4 Governmental Institutions and Political Processes Standard 6 The United States government has specific functions that are determined by the way that power is delegated and controlled among various bodies: the three levels (federal, state, local) and the three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) of government. Standard 7 The primary purposes of rules and laws within the United States constitutional government are to protect individual rights, promote the general welfare and provide order. Standard 8 Public policy is shaped by governmental and non-governmental institutions and political processes. Standard 9 Free and fair elections are key elements of the United States political system.

Substrand 5 Relationships of the United States to Other Nations and Organizations Standard 10 The United States establishes and maintains relationships and interacts with indigenous nations and other sovereign nations, and plays a key role in world affairs. Standard 11 International political and economic institutions influence world affairs and United States foreign policy. Standard 12 Governments are based on different political philosophies and purposes; governments establish and maintain relationships with varied types of other governments.